Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.

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Weed Identification Workshop

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Jane Hargreaves, 828-298-2426
               Tom Morgan, 828-242-4131


FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Sponsor Weed Workshop

(Asheville, NC – August 20, 2008) – The Asheville Chapter of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway will host a Weed Identification Workshop on Saturday, September 27th from 10am until 12 noon at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Led by local plant expert, Jane Hargreaves of Hargreaves Associates, the workshop will focus on the identification of exotic, invasive species of plants in the area and demonstrate control and eradication measures available to homeowners.  “Invasive plants such as the Oriental Bittersweet have gained widespread dominance in our area and threaten hardwoods and native species along the Parkway, “said Hargreaves. “Understanding the identification and control methods for non-native exotics will help native species return and survive” she added.

The workshop is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine in the lower parking area outside the Folk Art Center, located at MP382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, north of the intersection of Highway 74 and just over a mile from the new Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center. For more information, contact Jane Hargreaves at 828-298-2426 or visit the FRIENDS website at www.blueridgefriends.org.